Alexander Ovechkin is like the Tracy McGrady of the NHL

Bob on 04 21, 2009

While watching ESPN yesterday, there was comparison between Alexander ‘The Great’ Ovechkin and Tracy McGrady. This is not a flattering assessment for Ovechkin by any means. Incase you aren’t familiar with T-Mac, he has been an absolute flop in the playoffs, and frankly, he’s a scrub, but I’m not going to get into the Rockets ‘star.’

Currently the Washington Capitals are down 2 games to 1 to the New York Rangers.

A scoring machine in the regular season (56 goals), Alexander Ovechkin has been scoreless throughout the series. He tallied 2 assists in the first loss, put up a goose egg in the second game, and had 2 helpers last night while helping Washington get within a game. Too early to label him a choke artist? Possibly.

Like usual, I’ll play Devil’s Advocate and say no, it’s not. Ovechkin has all the talent in the world, but there are some players who just don’t have that ice running through their veins. You can go to the gym and bust your ass all day, but you simply cannot practice ‘clutch.’ Take Robert Horry for example…clutch is embedded in his DNA.

Alexander the Great pulled a Bill Belichek, sitting in on the Rangers practice. He must’ve taken something away from it seeing as he had a great game; dishing out 2 assists while leading his team to a win.

It’s difficult for any team in any sport to come back from a 2 game deficit. Given Ovechkin’s talent, I think there is a good possibility the Capitals can crawl back to take the series. I’m pulling for Washington, for the reason that number 8 is extremely entertaining to watch. However, if the Rangers should prevail, I think hockey fans and analysts should question Ovechkin and his ability to perform in clutch situations.

Side note: What the hell is up with the San Jose Sharks?

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  • snickerpippins
    T mac is 29 ans ovechkin is 23...so the comparison is way to early
  • kyle
    except ovechkin has already led his russian club team to a KHL championship and his russian national team to a world championship. you're just stirring the pot.
  • sarah
    In the first two games, pretty much everyone sucked in the offensive zone. I'm wondering if you actually watched the game or just went on ESPN.com, NHL.com, or any other various sports websites to check the stats of last night's game. It really seems like you just looked up his stats because if you had watched the game, you'd know he performed extremely well. Just because he doesn't have a goal, doesn't mean he hasn't contributed. He kept two pucks from getting near Varlamov, one on a break away that probably would have been a goal, and he passed the puck for a better scoring chance instead of wasting a shot. He's not a choke artist by any means.
  • anonymous
    Ovechkin is built for the playoffs. Big, tough, physical, unafraid. His mental aspect takes a while to get going, but last year, it did in Game 5, and after that (2 games) he had 3 goals and an assist. Let's not forget that Henrik Lundqvist may be the best goalie in the playoffs not named Broduer or Luongo and is a three-time Vezina finalist.
    Another thing: Fleischmann's goal in Game 1 was hardly deflected. It might as well have been Ovechkin's goal.
  • Bob
    @ Sarah

    I watched the game. I'm aware he had a great game.

    "Alexander the Great pulled a Bill Belichek, sitting in on the Rangers practice. He must’ve taken something away from it seeing as he had a great game; dishing out 2 assists while leading his team to a win."

    I saw those hustle plays on on the backcheck which was impressive. We'll have to see how the series plays out.
  • Fingerman
    Ovechkin not clutch? If the only measure of that is not winning in the playoffs, fine, although considering he's only been in the playoffs once before this year, it seems a tad early. But did you watch last year's playoffs? Ovechkin scored the game-winning goal in game one with about five minutes left, and then he had the game winning goal in the third period of game 6. He even had a game-tying goal in game 7. Two game-winning goals in one playoff series--that sounds kind of clutch to me. How about you?
  • Bob
    Moment of truth tonight ladies and gents. Make sure you tune into Versus at 7:00 ET to watch game 7.
  • @Bob

    I'm glad I tuned in to that Caps v Rangers game. Great game, great series, have fun at home Rangers.. at least you won't have water bottles and homosexual slurs thrown at you anymore.

    On a side note- 5 years ago, would have ever expected yourself to say "tune into Versus" in your lifetime?
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